Was Israel under grace or law when Amalek attacked them?
At the time Amalek attacked Israel, they were not under grace. They were still in the period of God dealing with the nation of Israel, and shortly after that they would be under law. The Amalekites came to battle over the water God had provided.
Les explains that the Amalekites, descendants of Esau, were longtime enemies of Israel. They attacked at this point because they saw the abundant water God provided when Israel smote the rock, so it became a warfare over that water. Les sees the Amalekites as a picture of the flesh warring against the spiritual. He notes that at this time Israel was not under grace; God was still dealing with the nation, and shortly they would be under law. He applies this practically: just as a person born again partakes of living water, the old flesh begins war against the new nature. Paul says such things are written for our learning.
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Was Israel under grace or law during the Amalekite battle?
In this section of Israel's history they are not in grace, but are still under God's dealing with the nation of Israel, and shortly they will be under law.